Hedgehog Lifespan

The average lifespan for African pigmy hedgehogs in captivity runs from 4-6 years, with some living as long as 8 years. From what I have read, this is already far better than the average of 1-3 years in the wild (though this is due more to predation, disease, and other environmental factors than to old age).

African pigmy hedgehogs have not been kept in captivity for many years as yet. That, along with the fact that we are still in the early stages of learning how best to care for them, is likely to allow their longevity to continue to increase over the upcoming years.

In addition to the good care aiding this, the fact that hedgies are starting to settle down and become much less nervous will likely also help considerably.

All in all, their lifespan is quite long compared to many smaller mammals, which means that there's a good chance you can continue to get along with your prickly little pal for many happy years.

Looking for more information on pet hedgehogs? Browse our archive of helpful articles: